Bangalow residents opposed to plans for a dramatic makeover of their local pub have secured a small victory, with Byron Council deferring its decision on the matter so that further negotiations over the proposed design can take place.
The owners of the Bangalow Hotel raised the ire of many heritage-conscious locals when they submitted plans for a $13 million redevelopment that would significantly change the look and feel of the venue and increase the space for poker machines.
The development application (DA) proposed a significant demolition and redevelopment of the internal ground floor area of the hotel, including removal of the old timber bar, several walls, bathrooms and part of the floor section.
An area in the western part of the venue, which not so long ago hosted live music and other community-focused events, was to become a separated gaming room with 20 poker machines.
The rear decks and stairs additions were proposed to be removed and replaced with a new deck.
Council staff had recommended that the revised DA be approved, stating that it was ‘satisfactory having regard to the relevant environmental planning instruments and planning controls applicable to the site’.
But there were many within the Bangalow community who did not agree.
In a stinging set of submissions, dozens of residents expressed concern about a loss of heritage values, the increased size of the venue, and the construction of the pokie room.
Last week councillors voted unanimously to defer their decision on the matter so that discussions could take place about the plan to turn the live music space into a pokie room.
The applicant has been asked to provide amended plans or a response to this motion within 14 days.
Loss of live music
‘I understand that the current owners have said that they tried live music and they now want to replace it with a giant pokie room,’ said Labor councillor Asren Pugh, who moved the motion to defer.
‘In all honesty I think they’re not trying hard enough. I understand that it’s more difficult to have live music. But while we the Council are going through quite a robust community engagement process in Byron to try and support live music and creative people and industries, to just see one of the best live music spaces removed on a whim would be really disappointing.
‘While I understand the current owners may have found it [the live music space] problematic… it doesn’t mean that another owner in the future might be able to take a more creative approach and make that space really successful.
‘I think it’s a detrimental move for Bangalow and a detrimental move for our creative industries, and I think we should be doing everything we can to maintain the option for live music and creating balance.
‘I think we should leave the space there so that when a more creative owner comes along they can utilise the space to support our local musicians.’
The other changes to the venue proposed by the owners will not be opposed by Council.
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